42 Facts About Zhengde Emperor

The Zhengde Emperor, known by his temple name as the Emperor Wuzong of Ming, personal name Zhu Houzhao, was the 11th emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1505 to 1521.

The Zhengde Emperor was the eldest and only surviving son of the Hongzhi Emperor.

Zhengde Emperor frequently clashed with ministers and great secretaries, instead relying on eunuchs, particularly the "Eight Tigers", with whom he had grown up.

Zhengde Emperor's mother was Empress Zhang, the only wife of the Hongzhi Emperor.

Zhengde Emperor assessed Zhu Houzhao as an intelligent young man, but fond of comfort and pleasure.

In contrast to his father, who exercised imperial authority sparingly, delegated power effectively, and dutifully fulfilled his responsibilities, the Zhengde Emperor showed little concern for state affairs.

Zhengde Emperor resisted the objections and demands of officials, but readily fulfilled the requests and desires of the eunuchs.

However, the Zhengde Emperor had a wide range of other interests, including riding, archery, hunting, and music.

Zhengde Emperor was particularly fond of composing songs and singing, and he promoted music throughout the court.

Zhengde Emperor enjoyed playing games with his eunuchs, leading to the establishment of several imperial shops run by them.

Zhengde Emperor supported various forms of entertainment, such as wrestling, acrobatics, magic, and fireworks.

Zhengde Emperor often indulged in these activities with the eunuchs, neglecting his studies and getting drunk for days on end.

Zhengde Emperor built a new temple for Tibetan monks in the Forbidden City and awarded them high titles and rewards.

Zhengde Emperor learned their script and participated in their ceremonies, even dressing in Tibetan clothing.

Zhengde Emperor even involved them in the rituals at the funeral of Empress Wang in 1518.

Zhengde Emperor held a negative view of officials, viewing them as corrupt and incompetent.

Zhengde Emperor actively avoided interacting with officials and instead relied on eunuchs to handle matters, as they never questioned his orders.

Zhengde Emperor valued their intelligence and entrusted them with supervising the armies on the borders and quelling rebellions within the country.

Zhengde Emperor used the threat of heavy fines to force the officials responsible for finances and taxes to bring in the exact amount of money to Beijing.

Zhengde Emperor faced hostility from other eunuchs, including the remaining seven "Tigers".

Zhengde Emperor appointed Shen Ying, Earl of Jingyang, and Yang Yiqing, Censor-in-chief, to oversee the situation in Ningxia.

Zhengde Emperor allocated a significant sum of money for this purpose.

Zhengde Emperor impressed the emperor with his archery and military skills, and later by catering to his personal preferences by procuring musicians, Muslim women for the harem, and Tibetan monks who were experts in tantric Buddhism.

Zhengde Emperor proposed a rotation of units, suggesting that experienced soldiers from the borderlands be brought to Beijing to fight the rebels, while the soldiers from the capital would be sent to the borders instead.

Border guards were stationed in four camps within the Imperial City area, with the Zhengde Emperor viewing them as his personal army and considering himself their general.

Zhengde Emperor entrusted the first two with the command of the Beijing garrison, including the newly arrived units.

Zhengde Emperor made another attempt a month later, this time passing through the pass while the censor was absent.

Zhengde Emperor left a reliable eunuch, Gu Dayong, in charge with strict orders not to let any officials through.

Zhengde Emperor even went as far as to abandon the use of the imperial seal and instead titled himself as a general.

Zhengde Emperor then demanded that they send him one million liang of silver, but they refused, citing that the Ministry of Renvenue only had a reserve of 350,000 liang.

In recognition of their bravery, the Zhengde Emperor decorated a large number of officers and soldiers, including Jiang Bin and Xu Tai who were both granted the title of count.

Zhengde Emperor built his own armed force from local "strong men".

The Zhengde Emperor was only made aware of the issue with the Prince of Ning in the summer of 1519, when Jiang Bin and Zhang Yong convinced him of the prince's and Qian Ning's misconduct.

Zhengde Emperor claimed that the Zhengde Emperor was an impostor and not a member of the imperial family, and that the empress had ordered his dethronement.

Zhengde Emperor fed the prince false information about the movements of government troops and the betrayal of his closest confidants.

Zhengde Emperor was given the temple name Wuzong and the posthumous name Emperor Yi, and was buried in the Kang Mausoleum.

Zhengde Emperor dismissed the eunuch inspectors from the border garrisons, sent the border troops in Beijing back to the border, and sent foreign envoys, monks from the Leopard Quarter, artisans, entertainers, and women who had been assembled by the emperor in Beijing back to their respective homes.

The Zhengde Emperor was known for his love of songwriting and singing, as well as his appreciation for court music.

Zhengde Emperor placed a strong emphasis on funding the arts.

Zhengde Emperor developed a theory of the unity of cognition and action.

Zhengde Emperor played a crucial role in educating and inspiring a new generation of writers and poets.

Zhengde Emperor was particularly skilled in regular and seal script as a calligrapher.